Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-04-29

covered with q growth of willows. We wers
Just approaching this swamp, when
l heard q noise in the direction OF
the river. Looking in that direc.
ton 1 saw a party of cavalry canterine
the house We had just left.
lodged into the cover of the willows, close.
" followed by Green, and proposed to re-
main hidden in the swamp until they had
reached the house, and, with the willows
e without being discovered. Green
agreed to the proposition, and crouchinc
among the willows We a%nxiously watched
the movements of the party. We could
see the CLEAN of their brig ht steel scab-
bards IN the moonlight, and the pounding
of their horses hoofs on the frozen ground
could be plainly heard. Green did not
relish the sight of the bold riders, and pro-
posed to make o run for it and get under
cover of the rifles of our vede.tes. 1 re.
Piled that If we remained in the swamp
until they reached the house, our chances
Tor escape would be good, but if we left
the willows the enemy would be sure to
see us and would cut as of. The words
q scarcely passed my lips when Green
arose, declaring he would not stay
the moonlight, be started for the
picket line. Drawing my canteen strap
under my belt, I followed, knowing that
farther concealment would be impossible.
We had MOI run more than a hundredy yards
when q chorus of yells announced that we
were discovered. I now knew that it was
to be q race ~forliberty, and perhaps for life.
CHANGING over my shoulder, I SOW that our
pursuers were riding o%bliquely across the
fields in order to cut us off. "A half mile
would bring US in range of the rifles Of the
nearest vedettes. The ground was level,
and frozen hard. In the shade of the for
est. at intervals, I could plainly see the
light of the picket fires, SO summoning all
my energies 1 darted after Green. Visions
of Libby, Castle Thunder, Belle Isle, and
Andersonville flashed before me as I could
hear the rapid beat of the flying hoofs as
they spurred after us with exulting shouts,
as though they were sure of their prey.
of me, and l strained every nerve to close
up the gap between us. but my utmost
efforts failed Il believe that fellow could
beat his own shadow. We were almost
within range of the vedette's rifles.
Why did they not make a diversion in our
favor? The thought had hardly flashed
through my mind when crack, crack, crack,
went the rifles of the three nearest vedettis,
and the spiteful zip, zip, of the leaden
messengers, as they cleft the frosty at
mosphele, and sped away in the direction
of u pursuers, made weird, yet sweet
music to my ears. Remembering that my
W rife was in my hands, 1 faced about
and saw that the two foremost riders had
halted. I drew a bead ON the nearest and
fired. He ducked his head and, with q yell
of defiance, the entire party drew off and
rode away in the direction of the ford,
thinking no doubt that the Yanks would
make it lively for them if they stayed longer
on ~ side Of the river. Two hours later
o merry group around our fire were discuss.
ing hard tack, salt pork and coffee.
HI. T. CATION,
Company E., One Hundred and Twenty-sixt
New York Volunteers.
LAWRENCEvILLE, Pa.